Looking forward to catching the start tomorrow, Can only watch three days after which I have to fly to Delhi and then work begins for the next 30 days and the Supreme Court lawyer under whom I am working told me that he has three ground rules - 1. There are no timings in litigation, 2. There are no sundays in litigation, 3. There are no sick leaves in litigation. Sounds very fun.

Well everyone bats, but I'd call him an all rounder as his batting average isn't anything to write home about.

He averages just under 40 in first-class cricket with the bat and the ball, that would suggest he is a better batsman than bowler. I'm not suggesting he is one of the finest batsmen around, but what isn't in doubt is what his primary discipline is.

Apart from the usual points of interest in watching England on the sub-continent I'm especially looking forward to seeing how our new opener Compton goes, how Patel fares with both bat and ball, whether our attack retains its controlled and disciplined lines and lengths, a swashbuckling KP innings a la his last century against SA, and so many other things. Can Swann prove his worth against a side that play spin so well ?

Apart from the usual points of interest in watching England on the sub-continent I'm especially looking forward to seeing how our new opener Compton goes, how Patel fares with both bat and ball, whether our attack retains its controlled and disciplined lines and lengths, a swashbuckling KP innings a la his last century against SA, and so many other things. Can Swann prove his worth against a side that play spin so well ?

Be interesting to see the leadership from Cook as captain, as it is going to be a tough series.

Obviously see how the team react with KP, although I think that will be fine.

Swann is due a big series and he has to deliver on surfaces that he needs to exploit - he is meant to be one of the best spinners in the world - he has to prove it!

Yes be interesting to see how Cook goes now he has been installed as the full-time captain. Obviously he's going to have to develop on the job, but we may get some insights into the type of skipper he is hoping to be.

Not sure why people think Patel is a bad fielder either, he's always in the main fielding positions for Notts.

H's been decent for England as well, dropped one easy chance from what I remember, but who hasn't?

"big lad, must be a **** fielder"

Let's be fair, I'm not sure Faf du Plessis needs to worry too much about Patel's athleticism!He's a steady fielder, but he isn't going to be quick to the ball or agile enough to be throwing himself about at backward point, but I agree he isn't a liability in the field.